Hi there!

I just started W1D2 and I am so looking forward to becoming a confident runner. I'm doing it on the treadmill with my walk at a 3.5 and my jogging at a 5.2.

I noticed that this was a fairly active thread and a few other ladies were using a treadmill as well and was hoping someone would have some insight for me. When I run on the treadmill I shake it. I mean I shake it BAD. And it's a big heavy duty one at the gym. I weighed in at 148 this morning so I know I'm not over the weight capacity and there are several big dudes running next to me that don't vibrate the machines in the slightest...

I am NOT a natural runner and am sure I probably run "wrong." I have tried altering my stride- my husband thinks I must run flat footed but have tried altering how I land and push off-- from the heel, flat, to barely touching down and springing from the front of my foot as well as running on several machines (nope it's not a problem with the machine it's a problem with me ). None of this has had any effect on the treadmill shaking. Do any of you have any ideas on how to reduce this shaking? I get VERY self conscious about it and am so embarrassed by it. I was wondering if I have more of a problem because I'm so short (just a hair under 5'2" but I have a super long torso and shorter legs proportionately which sucks since I'm so short and hardly have any legs to begin with). Perhaps I'm just doomed to be a "heavy" runner.

I'm so inspired by all of you who are so far along and I can't wait to join you in the later weeks! Thanks in advance for any or all suggestions.

Hello TraumaNurse and welcome! I second your question - I am thinking of joining a gym (next to my apartment) so that i can use their treadmills and run at an incline, however i am veeeery selfconscious too of shaking the treadmill! I feel like an elephant in a glass shop, everything trembles at my steps and also my movements on it are VERY loud.

I'm a new runner as well and totally can empathize with the self-concious shaking of the treadmills at the gym. Especially when I watch my water bottle nearly dislodge itself from the holder as I plod away. I would think any stride would be better than heel-first (both for shaking and safety's sake) but I, like you, haven't found any form that completely solves the problem. Though I feel like I have a sweet spot of speed that gives me the most fluid motion - too slow or fast just exacerbates the shaking.

I know that doesn't really give you a solution but I've found as I progressed I am wayyyyyyyyyy less aware of it now. When I started c25k I was ~186, never ran before, and felt like a goober shaking the guts out of machines as I did my short little 60sec bursts. Now, even if I shake the machine it just feels like part of the deal and I just don't really care cause, darn it, I'm running.

Also as an aside - the other day I was beside a huge buff guy (like the one who's always at the gym) sprinting beside me at 12mph (!?!, yea I sneaked a peak at his speed) and it was shaking so bad seriously thought his machine was going to tear apart like Forest Gump's leg braces. But it didn't!

Mamabear: Well I believe you and I will tell you good job!!! I'm a slow runner too, the important thing is not your speed, it's that you're running!

Aww, Mamabear272! Our moms must be space twins or something! My veeery overweight mom loves making fat jokes at my expense and regularly asks if my boyfriend of 8 years inst dumping me for someone younger/skinnier I think she does it out of love <3
Anyway, you did great, keep going strong!

Thanks for the welcome everyone and all your thoughts on the shaking- I"m just sorry my response was so delayed I just came off a 4 day stretch with difficult patients so I am officially pooped (In more ways than one- sorry bad nurse humor) and haven't been able to hop on here.

Well even if I know the treadmill shaking won't stop at least I know I'm not the only one in the club which makes me feel a little better and that basementcat and dehtripper are right there with me . On my first afternoon off today after a big nap I went to a running shop had my feet and gait analyzed and plunked down 115 big ones on a quality pair of shoes which I think made a little difference as the treadmill seemed a little less shaky on today's run.

I finally got around to week 1 day 3 and did my walking at 3.8 and jogging from 5.5 to 5.8 (I know it seems kind of fast but remember I'm only in week 1 I'm sure it will slow dramatically as I progress but hopefully not. I remember the one and only one time I ran a 10 minute mile non-stop in 8th grade on the track and I was so jazzed even though everyone else was pulling 7 and 8 minute miles and I was still the slowest one.....damn fast children)

And mamabear So sorry your mom was so hurtful and didn't believe you. I know you ran all you said you did and ran your heart out.

Hope you're all getting in happy runs. I can't wait to get mine in again tomorrow and relieve some stress (Yeah I know I'm supposed to take a break but when you work 4-14 hour days in a row when you factor in drive and sign out and 3 days off and throw grad school in there I'm just figuring I'll run when I can which is probably 3 in a row and 4 off from running when I'm working. Not the greatest but it's what I can do). Stop in and inspire me to keep going with all your progress and successes!

I did W8D3 last night and it was HARD! But I'm so glad I pushed through it! And for the first time, I was under 8:00/km (I averaged 7:50)! That would mean I'd run the 5K in less than 40 minutes, which is my goal!

Only one week left, I can't believe it!!!

Well I will tell you good job! Cuz that is awesome! What is that saying...no matter how slow you are going you are still faster than someone on a couch...and faster than your mom and sister! I'm so sorry that you had to deal with that, but I will tell you that you have some sisters here and we support you! You are doing awesome, and remember, doesn't matter if it is family, they get jealous and I think that is what is happening here.

Yay! I'm so excited for you Angelic!!!! (Also a little jealous, hehe) Great job and keep it up!



WELCOME TO EVERYONE THAT IS NEW!!!! THIS IS AN AWESOME PROGRAM AND THREAD!

Okay, feel like I haven't been on for a while. Last week was weird. I seriously felt pregnant, and ended up having to get my birth control removed. So I didn't do all the exercise I had planned, BUT I did do my runs! Though not every other day like usual, I finished week 6 yesterday!

And it has been so awesome! The weather has started to get nice around here and my boyfriend's little girls both recently learned how to ride their bike, SO....we have been going to this trail, and they three ride their bikes and I do my run. It is really great, because they are so encouraging! If there is a hill they will be like "You can do it Olivia!" and because I try to keep up with them some of the time I think I'm moving a bit faster. After W6D3 yesterday we were riding the bikes in a parking lot and Aubrey, the oldest little girl who is 8, asked if she could go for a run with me, so she and I did probably a 6 minute run together! It was so cute and a bit extra for me. Half way through she was really tired, haha, so I explained to her that is why I go kind of slow and you have to remember to breath. I think that actually helped her.

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Hi everyone!
I'm very happy to say... after months of intending to.... I finally started C25k! I really hope it works for me. I'm a little worried as I have a large bust, and a tendency for my back to ache, but so far so good! W1D2 tomorrow!